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"We have been humbled by how many people have wanted to share their stories to help solve this problem in New Zealand."

At least 14 of the 25 original members of the thinktank quit after a report that Sir Owen Glenn was accused of physically abusing a young woman in Hawaii in 2002.

He entered a plea of "no contest", neither admitting nor contesting the charge, and later said there was "no truth to the allegation".

There was also concern at the use of personal equipment, such as laptops and phones to record sensitive information.

The charity was dealt another blow when Internal Affairs investigated allegations payments were made from the Glenn charitable trust to a bloodstock company and to the multimillionaire's personal account. That investigation is ongoing.

Rei said the controversy had slowed progress to an extent but the focus had always been one of quality research rather than speed.